Chicken flautas are a delightful Mexican dish that can star at any gathering, family dinner, or casual weekday meal. With a satisfying crunch from the tortilla and packed with flavorful shredded chicken, cheese, and spices, these petite rolled treats are sure to be a hit. You’ll find that flautas are not only easy to prepare but also offer endless possibilities for customization to fit your palate. Grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and let’s dive into the world of chicken flautas!
Why We Love This Chicken Flautas Recipe
What’s not to love about chicken flautas? They are crispy, savory, and downright delicious. Using shredded rotisserie chicken makes this recipe not only quick but also a superb way to use leftovers. The taco seasoning, combined with gooey Monterey Jack cheese and zesty green chiles, creates an explosion of flavor in every bite. Whether you’re serving them as appetizers or as the main course paired with your favorite sides, these flautas are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The best part? They are super satisfying without being overly complicated to make, making them a staple in many kitchens.
Ingredients About Chicken Flautas
To prepare chicken flautas, gather these ingredients that will bring your dish to life:
- 4 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 (4-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, drained
- 20 (6-inch) soft flour tortillas
- Canola oil for frying
- Sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and salsa for serving
Each component plays a crucial role in shaping the flavor and texture of your flautas, ensuring that they are not just satisfying but also a feast for the senses.
How to Make Chicken Flautas Directions
Making chicken flautas is a simple and enjoyable process that will have your kitchen smelling heavenly. Here’s how you can whip these up:
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the taco seasoning and shredded chicken, tossing them together until the chicken is well coated. Add in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese and the drained green chiles, stirring until everything is evenly mixed. The flavors meld together beautifully, creating a balanced filling that is both rich and zesty.
- Prepare the Tortillas: Take one soft flour tortilla and spoon about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture onto the center. Use your fingers to press the filling into a tight line across the middle of the tortilla. This technique will help keep the filling secure and make rolling easier.
- Roll Them Up: Tightly roll the tortilla around the filling, tucking in the sides as you go to prevent the mixture from spilling out. Use a toothpick to secure the rolled tortilla in place. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and chicken mixture.
- Fry the Flautas: Preheat your oven to 250°F to keep the cooked flautas warm. In a large cast iron skillet, heat about a half-inch of canola oil over medium heat. On a thermometer, the oil should register approximately 375°F when ready. Carefully add four flautas at a time to the hot oil. Fry them until they are golden brown on all sides, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes. Use tongs to turn them periodically, ensuring an even crisp.
- Serve Them Warm: Once golden brown, transfer the cooked flautas to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil. Place them in the warm oven while you continue frying the remaining flautas. These flautas are best enjoyed hot and fresh, served alongside your favorite dipping sauces.
How to Serve Chicken Flautas
Serving chicken flautas can be as fun as making them! Once your flautas are crispy and golden, arrange them on a platter and serve them immediately so everyone can enjoy that delightful crunch. You can accompany your flautas with sour cream, guacamole, fresh pico de gallo, and salsa for dipping. These toppings add freshness and brightness to the dish, enhancing the overall eating experience. Whether you’re hosting a game night or a family dinner, flautas make an excellent centerpiece that’s easy to share.
For a complete meal, consider pairing your chicken flautas with black beans, rice, or a simple salad. This creates a balanced plate that will wow your family or guests. Don’t shy away from trying various toppings or sides—knowing how versatile these flautas are is part of what makes them so special.
Expert Tips: Chicken Flautas
To create the perfect chicken flautas, consider these handy tips to enhance your cooking experience:
- Temperature is Key: Ensure your oil is the right temperature before frying. If it’s too cool, the flautas will become greasy instead of crunchy.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry flautas in batches, giving them ample space in the skillet. This will help them cook evenly and achieve that desired golden color.
- Secure Tight Rolls: Make sure to roll your tortillas as tightly as you can without forcing them, preventing the filling from spilling out and ensuring a perfect shape.
- Experiment with Fillings: Feel free to get creative! If you love other ingredients like beans, corn, or different types of cheese, incorporate those into your filling for added flavor and texture.
- Keep Them Warm: Use the oven to keep the flautas warm while you finish frying the rest. This ensures that everyone enjoys them at the optimal temperature.
How to Store Chicken Flautas
Once you make a batch of chicken flautas, you might find yourself with leftovers (if you’re lucky!). Storing flautas is easy:
- In the Refrigerator: Allow cooked flautas to cool completely. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes to retain their crispiness.
- In the Freezer: You can also freeze uncooked flautas. Assemble them and place them on a baking sheet. Freeze them until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be kept for up to three months. When you’re ready to cook, fry them directly from frozen, allowing a few extra minutes for frying.
Variation of Chicken Flautas
The world of chicken flautas is vast, and you can have fun experimenting with variations to keep things exciting:
- Vegetarian Flautas: Swap out the chicken for a mixture of sautéed bell peppers, zucchini, and black beans to create a delightful vegetarian option.
- Spicy Flautas: Add diced jalapeños or a spicy salsa to the chicken mixture for those who like an extra kick of heat.
- Cheesy Flautas: For a more indulgent version, mix different cheeses such as cheddar or pepper jack into your filling along with Monterey Jack for a gooey delight.
- Sweet Flautas: Try using dessert fillings like cream cheese and fruit or cinnamon sugar for a sweet twist, perfect for dessert.
Each variation can bring a fresh perspective to the basic chicken flautas, making them perfect for any occasion.
FAQ: Chicken Flautas
Can I use other types of chicken instead of rotisserie?
Yes! You can use leftover grilled, baked, or shredded chicken from any dish. Just ensure it is seasoned well for the best flavor.
Are chicken flautas gluten-free?
If you use gluten-free tortillas, chicken flautas can be gluten-free. Always check labels when selecting tortillas.
Can I make chicken flautas ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the filling and assemble the flautas a day in advance. Store them in the refrigerator and fry them just before serving.
What is the best way to reheat leftover flautas?
To reheat, the oven or air fryer is the best option as they can make the flautas crispy again. Microwaving can make them soggy.
Chicken Flautas
Ingredients
Filling Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 5 cups shredded rotisserie chicken You can use leftover grilled or baked chicken as well.
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 cans (4-ounce) chopped green chiles, drained
Wrapping Ingredients
- 20 pieces 6-inch soft flour tortillas
Serving Suggestions
- sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and salsa For serving
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine the taco seasoning and shredded chicken, tossing until the chicken is well coated.
- Add in the shredded Monterey Jack cheese and the drained green chiles, stirring until evenly mixed.
Wrapping the Tortillas
- Take one soft flour tortilla and spoon about 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture onto the center.
- Press the filling into a tight line across the middle of the tortilla.
- Tightly roll the tortilla around the filling, tucking in the sides as you go to prevent spillage. Secure with a toothpick.
Frying
- Preheat your oven to 250°F to keep cooked flautas warm.
- In a large cast iron skillet, heat about a half-inch of canola oil over medium heat until it reaches 375°F.
- Carefully add four flautas at a time to the hot oil, frying until golden brown on all sides (about 1 to 2 minutes).
- Use tongs to turn them periodically to ensure even cooking.
Serving
- Transfer the cooked flautas to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil.
- Place them in the warm oven while continuing to fry the remaining flautas. Serve warm with toppings.
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